US could use DNA to identify Saddam's remains

US authorities will be able to use DNA samples to identify Saddam Hussein's remains as well as those of any of his blood relatives, a US general said.

"We have the forensic ability to confirm any number of (Saddam's) relatives that are related by blood," Brigadier General Vincent Brooks told reporters at US Central Command forward headquarters.

General Tommy Franks, the commander of US operations in Iraq, said that US authorities have samples of Saddam's DNA.

He did not say how the samples had been obtained.

It may be possible to identify Saddam, "unless remains were removed" at the site of recent heavy bombings in a Baghdad residential area where Saddam and his top officials were believed to be, General Franks told CNN television.

Brigadier General Brooks said that he had no information to date on Saddam's remains being found.